Isolation and antigenic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Brazil

A retrovirus infecting a Brazilian AIDS patient was isolated and characterized in terms of its reactivity with sera from individuals infected with human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2). The Western blot analysis revealed that the Brazilian isolate is very similar to the well characterized HIV-1 strain. The serum of the patient from whom the virus was isolated did not react with the 140 kDa envelope glycoprotein specific for HIV-2.

Derivative spectrophotometric method for determination of acyclovir in polymeric nanoparticles

A derivative spectrophotometric method was validated for quantification of acyclovir in poly (n-butylcyanoacrylate) (PBCA) nanoparticles. Specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits were established for method validation. First-derivative at 295.2 nm eliminated interferences from nanoparticle ingredients and presented linearity for acyclovir concentrations ranging from 1.25 to 40.0 µg/mL (r = 0.9999). Precision and accuracy data demonstrated good reproducibility. Recovery ranged from 99.3 to 101.2. LOD was 0.08 µg/mL and LOQ, 0.25 µg/mL. Thus, the proposed method proved to be easy, low cost, and accurate, and therefore, an useful alternative to quantify acyclovir in nanoparticles.

Heating effects on physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oil (Linum usitatissimum L)

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of heating on some quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oil. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and Cox value decreased during heating. Heating process led to considerable increase in saponification value (SV), peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AnV), oxidative value (OV) and specific extinction at 232 and 270 nm. There was a significant decrease in oil stability during heating process (1.4-1.0 h). Fuel properties of flaxseed hull oil were also changed after heating treatment. Heating process caused loss of total phenolic acids, total flavanoids, carotenoids and chlorophyll pigments. Phospholipids (PL) content were less changed compared to other bioactive compounds. Antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oil decreased during heating process.